Positive People in Pinecrest: Rafi Montalvo

By Nancy Eagleton

By Nancy Eagleton….

Rafi Montalvo

Rafi Montalvo is a senior at La Salle High School and starting quarterback on the school’s football team.

Montalvo is turning heads with his ability to throw a football. At events such as Nike Combine, National Underclassmen Combine, TrainersRus Camp, Steve Clarkson Passing Challenge and Elite Scouting Services, he has been ranked among the most talented high school athletes in the country and has been touted as a top prospect.

“I won quarterback MVP at the Nike Spring camp and the National Underclassman Combine that was held in Cooper City,” said Montalvo. “At the Nike Combine, my SPARQ rating, which shows overall athleticism, placed me among the top 30 in the country.”

Last year, Montalvo was named to second team All-Dade. His statistics this year have surpassed last year and he is currently ranked as the number two quarterback in Miami- Dade and Broward County. “I’ve been playing football since I was five years old,” said Montalvo. “My dad played football at University of Miami and my grandfather also played football.”

Montalvo played Pop Warner Football at Suniland Park through the eighth grade and was coached by his dad, Ralph Montalvo. During those years, the team won four Pop Warner championships and competed in two other finals.

Montalvo attended Epiphany School through eighth grade and transferred to La Salle from Christopher Columbus High School during his sophomore year. At La Salle, he is coached by Willie Trimmer. Although the La Salle football season is heading into its homestretch, things are just getting started for Montalvo. He’s been nominated to play in the Nike Miami-Dade/Broward All- Star Game that will be played on January 21.

Montalvo’s arm strength, quickness and leadership skills have caused college recruiters to take notice. He has a host of schools watching him and his top five include the Naval Academy, Florida International University, Western Kentucky, Holy Cross and Boston College. “I’ll be going on an official visit to the Naval Academy in January,” he said.

Montalvo noted that if he attends the Naval Academy he plans to study naval engineering and design, and later manufacture boats, like his father, who builds Sea Hunter boats in Princeton.

“I share my passion for the water and boating with my dad,” said Montalvo. “We go boating and fishing together and I spent some time working in the factory last summer.”

Although, Montalvo’s six-day-a-week football schedule and schoolwork does not leave him a lot of time for extra activities, he has spent time on the water volunteering at Shake- A-Leg, the watersports recreation and education facility in Coconut Grove.

“A friend and I would go to Shake-A-Leg after school and work with underprivileged and disabled children, teaching them how to fish and sail,” said Montalvo. “Sometimes, we would just hang out with them and help them with their homework. It was really rewarding.”